UNION SPRINGS — For the second consecutive basketball outing, Cortland Christian Academy boys have fallen two points shy.
The Saints were on the short-end of a 58-56 decision in Monday’s non-league trip to face Union Springs Academy, free throw shooting and some missed last-minute opportunities doing in the Empire State Christian Athletic League contenders.
Cortland Christian was just 6-for-16 shooting free throws in the loss, including going 3-for-9 in the fourth quarter.
Nathan Ploss had 23 points though struggling to find his shooting touch, Caleb Kinney added 16 points and a dozen rebounds and Nick Rofe finished with 13 points and four assists as the Saints fell to 9-4 overall. Sapati Bernard finished with 19 points, Preston Mezetins 14 and Adam Boyd 12 for Union Springs Academy (2-7).
Bernard and Mezetins combined for four 3-points as the hosts took a 20-15 first quarter lead. Union Springs Academy was up 44-31 in the third quarter before the Saints trimmed the deficit to four points going into the final quarter.
Still, Cortland Christian was down 57-50 with just over two minutes left to play when three consecutive baskets on offensive rebounds made this a one-point game heading into the final minute. The Saints had chances late, including a rebound of a missed 3-pointer than hung on the rim and fell off and a pair of missed free throws with 11 seconds left after Union Springs Academy made one of two free throw attempts to build a two-point lead.
— In the girls’ prelim, Cortland Christian (11-1) ran out to a 10-2 first quarter lead and was never challenge by Union Springs Academy (1-7). Leah Sweeney had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Lady Saints, while Larissa Miller finished with seven points and three assists.
Alainey Sweeney had six points on a pair of 3-pointers and Rachel Hicks grabbed six rebounds in the victory. Hannah Leonard led Union Springs Academy with seven points.
Both Cortland Christian teams return to ESCAL play at home today, the girls taking on Baldwinsville Christian at 5 p.m. followed by the boys meeting Port City at 6:30 p.m.